Baker Artist Portfolios

Maksym Prykhodko is a Ukrainian-born interdisciplinary artist. His work explores themes relating to immigration, identity, specifically his own Ukrainianess, and often exists at the intersection of digital fabrication and interactivity. He incorporates concepts, such as trauma, memory, and play, into immersive exhibits, encouraging touch and participation.

Prykhodko’s background is in music composition, earning his BFA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Inspired by Brian Eno’s concept of “composers as gardeners,” Maksym is interested in algorithmic and self-generating compositions. He often implements sound into his installation work, crafting elaborate soundscapes for the participants. Currently, he is working on self-generating ambient audio tapes which explore analog processes alongside soothing sounds.

More recently, Maksym has experimented with Ukrainian embroidery, designing and cross-stitching elaborate patterns onto aida cloth. Prykhodko is interested in the meditative and tactile nature of embroidery, which must be done with intention and patience, contrary to the computerized distance of digital fabrication. He sources his patterns from a variety of Ukrainian embroidery books, then re-arranges them into something personal, part of his lifelong journey to engage with his heritage and thus himself.

In 2021, Prykhodko received his MFA in Intermedia and Digital Arts from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. His thesis, "American Boy" investigates his immigrant identity and what it means to assimilate and become "American." Within this physical installation, a partially recreated child’s bedroom, the boy attempts to cultivate a newfound sense of identity, often through futile means. Explore the installation here: homebodies.work/maks